Looking for some advise.

[Tina81980]

Hello! Last year during our Disney vacation we bought into the DVC. We were so excited and couldn't wait for our first stay as DVC owners. Well no more than an hour after signing the documents we got a phone call saying that our house had flooded (record high rain fall) and not living in a flood zone we did not have flood insurance so needless to say the DVC was cancelled.

Fast forward to today. The house is repaired, we have an emergency savings in place and we are looking into DVC again. This time we are saving the cash and plan on looking seriously over the next few months to a year at resales.

Here is my question. We love our Disney trips but we also love our beach vacations as well. So we had talked about buying in at Vero or Hilton Head. How hard would it be for us to get a 2 bedroom at OKW in May or June at the 7 month mark if we choose to do WDW every couple years? Would it be better to buy at OKW and try to get into HHI at the 7 month mark during the beach years?

Thanks,
Tina

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hello! Last year during our Disney vacation we bought into the DVC. We were so excited and couldn't wait for our first stay as DVC owners. Well no more than an hour after signing the documents we got a phone call saying that our house had flooded (record high rain fall) and not living in a flood zone we did not have flood insurance so needless to say the DVC was cancelled.

Fast forward to today. The house is repaired, we have an emergency savings in place and we are looking into DVC again. This time we are saving the cash and plan on looking seriously over the next few months to a year at resales.

Here is my question. We love our Disney trips but we also love our beach vacations as well. So we had talked about buying in at Vero or Hilton Head. How hard would it be for us to get a 2 bedroom at OKW in May or June at the 7 month mark if we choose to do WDW every couple years? Would it be better to buy at OKW and try to get into HHI at the 7 month mark during the beach years?

Thanks,
Tina

OKW in May/June would be easier to get than HHI or VB at 7 months out at during beach times.

But have you visited VB or HHI already? We love to go to the beach, too, and have found a great beach community in Marco Island on the Gulf side of Florida, not too far from the Everglades. When we visited VB several years ago, we weren't that impressed with the ocean side and thought the beach was rather shallow. The pictures I have seen recently show lots of beach erosion. You need for the HHI and VB owners to chime in here because I'm not an expert on any of these areas.

 

[juncker]

To us, the problem with VB and HHI were the high cost of maint fees. These will really add up over the life of the contract. I think that HHI (especially in summer) is a harder reservation to get than VB, but HHI isn't really a beach resort (need HHI people to chime in).

I agree that OKW at 7 months in May/June should not be a problem. You'll probably have a number of different resorts available at that time.

We bought SSR site unseen, but maybe you should visit these properties first before you make a decision. Good Luck!

 

[luckyman_apd]

From what I've read, OKW is easier to book than at 7months than the beach resorts, but that is what I've read. As far as the cost, and the time of ownership, I think you should know what HHI and VB are like, and have visited them. I've been to Disney, I've stayed at BLT and SSR, as well as many other resorts. I was inclined to purchase BLT or SSR (we went with BLT) because I HAD BEEN THERE. If the contracts were longer, I might have considered another resort, but again, I haven't been to others. I know mostly what to expect from the rooms, and from Disney, but as far as would I like the resort itself?......there would have to be a convincing reason for me to choose a resort I haven't seen.

The dues for HHI and VB are higher than any WDW resort, so even though the buy in price is cheaper, you may very well pay more in the long run for dues. But of course you want to be able to book your stay as well.

I'm a HUGE beach person, and VB and HHI might be very nice. I wouldn't know. I live in Jersey and have scouted most beaches from MA to NC. I can tell you there are PLENTY of beaches along the east cost that you can enjoy for a fraction of the DVC cost. You might make out better with a smaller contract just for WDW trips, or you could do as planned and split between Disney beach and WDW.

I'm a huge Beach person, so I would never lock my beach into a Disney resort beach. But that is me. NC has some of the best beaches for low cost.....Especially if you split a beach house rental with someone. We are going back in July and are spending less than 4,000 total for 8 adults and 8 children in a beachfront place with a pool and a gameroom. Just an example. My main point is to make sure you are aware or have visited a place before you buy it.

 

[johnsbelt]

Hello! Last year during our Disney vacation we bought into the DVC. We were so excited and couldn't wait for our first stay as DVC owners. Well no more than an hour after signing the documents we got a phone call saying that our house had flooded (record high rain fall) and not living in a flood zone we did not have flood insurance so needless to say the DVC was cancelled.

Fast forward to today. The house is repaired, we have an emergency savings in place and we are looking into DVC again. This time we are saving the cash and plan on looking seriously over the next few months to a year at resales.

Here is my question. We love our Disney trips but we also love our beach vacations as well. So we had talked about buying in at Vero or Hilton Head. How hard would it be for us to get a 2 bedroom at OKW in May or June at the 7 month mark if we choose to do WDW every couple years? Would it be better to buy at OKW and try to get into HHI at the 7 month mark during the beach years?

Thanks,
Tina

Tina,

What you might want to consider is to purchase half the number of points needed to stay at WDW. With banking/borrowing you can go to WDW every other year on DVC points and still can go to the beach with something else or rent there every other year.

We did just that and so far have really enjoyed it. You utilize your points and you don't get burned out going to the same location year after year.

Hope this helps,

John

 

[disneynutz]

I would buy a small contract at your favorite WDW resort then use the points to visit other resorts to find out which you like and don't like. DVC isn't going anywhere and you don't need to rush.

IMO owning where you love to stay will become more important as the membership grows and there is increasing competition for the most popular resorts during the popular times of year.

Bill

 

[Tina81980]

Thanks for your imput everyone. I think that we will get a small contract at WDW and go everyother year, and pay cash for our in between trips.

Thanks again,
Tina

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just wondering, did you purchase flood insurance since your flood? We nearly got flooded our first few months in our home, so we went ahead and bought it. Paid about. $250 a year for about 10 years when we got flooded for the first time. $75,000 later, we had all our repairs completed. We got flooded again two years later, not as much though, around $10,000. But our Flood insurance has gone up from the no/low risk to higher risk, so we now pay $1500 a year. But it has been worth it. We're not in a flood plain either.

 

[Dean]

Hello! Last year during our Disney vacation we bought into the DVC. We were so excited and couldn't wait for our first stay as DVC owners. Well no more than an hour after signing the documents we got a phone call saying that our house had flooded (record high rain fall) and not living in a flood zone we did not have flood insurance so needless to say the DVC was cancelled.

Fast forward to today. The house is repaired, we have an emergency savings in place and we are looking into DVC again. This time we are saving the cash and plan on looking seriously over the next few months to a year at resales.

Here is my question. We love our Disney trips but we also love our beach vacations as well. So we had talked about buying in at Vero or Hilton Head. How hard would it be for us to get a 2 bedroom at OKW in May or June at the 7 month mark if we choose to do WDW every couple years? Would it be better to buy at OKW and try to get into HHI at the 7 month mark during the beach years?

Thanks,
Tina

If you're set on Beach and WDW on alternating years I think you're best bet for DVC is to buy at either HH or VB realizing DVC isn't on the beach but is near the beach. Chose the one you most prefer. You will not have a problem getting a 2 BR at WDW in May or June at the 7 mo window. However, you may want to look at non DVC alternatives. Marriott, Wyndham and Bluegreen have great beach options and great Orlando options though not on property at WDW. Wyndham has one option behind CBR and 3 others. Marriott and BG have several options mostly south I drive. Wyndham and BG also give you the possibility of a trade into DVC through RCI, Marriott does in some situations but generally not. Of those, BG is best for the exchanging in and best for shorter stays and all give you great MB coverage. Wyndham and BG will be more flexible if you want other options to reserve directly. Marriott will be the best quality but the higher price and a little less flexible unless you do the trust Points which I would not.

 

[RobDoc]

If you're set on Beach and WDW on alternating years I think you're best bet for DVC is to buy at either HH or VB realizing DVC isn't on the beach but is near the beach.

Actually, Vero Beach is right on the beach and a number of villas and Inn Rooms have great ocean views. The Disney Hilton Head resort is on a tidal marsh, but about a mile from the beach.

 

[Dean]

Actually, Vero Beach is right on the beach and a number of villas and Inn Rooms have great ocean views. The Disney Hilton Head resort is on a tidal marsh, but about a mile from the beach.

Thanks for the correction, I intended to say HH was not on the beach.

 

[Tina81980]

Thanks guys for the information as we get closer to buying I am sure that we will be back with lots of questions.

And yes we have added the flood insurance. Lesson learned )

Tina

 

[CruznLexi]

We own at AK and have never had a hard time getting into AK. We have also gotten into VB without a problem too. We have a very small contract at HH and even with the 11 month booking we have issues for getting in August. We just have paid cash for HH and divide it among the 8 people who are going?